Our ‘Outstanding’ New School

Staff, pupils and parents at a new Ruddington school, which only opened its doors just over a year ago, are celebrating the highest possible ratings following its first Ofsted inspection. Operated by Polaris Children’s Services at 165, Loughborough Road (formerly known as ‘Easthorpe House’ and the home of NHS Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group up until June 2020), the Grade 2 listed building has been sympathetically modified to create ‘Easthorpe School’ – which is specifically for pupils aged 7 to 16 with special educational needs. Two Ofsted inspectors visited its premises from November 14th to 16th…

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Painting Pictures in Our Park

The Visitor Centre at Rushcliffe Country Park was the venue for another recent gathering on Rushcliffe Social Prescribing team’s ‘Friendship Calendar’ – aimed at engaging with local people to tackle social isolation. Rushcliffe Borough Council‘s ‘Reach Rushcliffe’ initiative funded this free session in Ruddington last month, which was attended by over a dozen people. They learnt tips on how to paint using watercolours whilst meeting like-minded people and, hopefully, making some lasting friendships. The one-off taster was hosted by village resident Debra Webster of Ruddington Art & Craft Society. as…

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Our WI is 99 … and Still Counting

Did you know that Ruddington Women’s Institute has been active in our village for ninety-nine years? Ahead of their centenary celebrations, current members are extending a warm welcome to any woman to join them, regardless of age. They’re also keen to dispel some common misconceptions. Committee member Barbara Wheeler says: “Contrary to popular belief, the WI is not all about baking and jam making! Some of us enjoy doing that, but others like to go on visits in the local area, join in the various activities at our meetings or…

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‘Pit to Paradise’ Guided Ruddington History Walks

Theres a choice of two ‘walk and talk’ events to find out more about the history of our village. Dr Gavin Walker, curator of The Village Museum, will be your guide as you stroll around Ruddington on Bank Holiday Monday 28th  August for ‘Pit to Paradise’. It’s a guided walk around Wilford Road, Woodley Street, Clifton Road and Manor Park, supported by Ruddington Parish Council, and is FREE to attend. So do you remember ‘The Rendezvous’ or the ‘Marl Pits’? Are you intrigued and wish to know more about our village’s past?  Meet…

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Proud At James Peacock’s!

Ahead of Ruddington’s two schools breaking up for Christmas this week, parents of pupils at one of them had chance to go along and admire their children’s seasonal artwork. Many village mums and dads took their opportunity to visit James Peacock Infant & Nursery School in Manor Park on Monday (19th December) to discover what their sons and daughters had created; with just a little help from the staff. “We are so proud of our incredible children in Foundation 2 for putting on a fabulous ‘Winter Wonderland’ art exhibition this week!”…

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A ‘Summer of Cycling’

As excitement builds around the fifth stage of the ‘Tour of Britain’ 2022  – which will again see elite cyclists passing right through the centre of Ruddington next month – residents of all ages are being invited to take part in a day of FREE cycling activities at Rushcliffe Country Park this week. The ‘Summer of Cycling’ event takes place on Wednesday August 10th from 11am to 2pm and will include ‘learn to ride’ sessions with British Cycling, bike maintenance and a minor repairs workshop with Dr Bike and a bike marking…

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Kids’ Holiday Reading Challenge

With our ‘schools out for summer’, village children aged 4 to 11 are now being invited to get involved with this year’s ‘Summer Reading Challenge’ at Ruddington Library. The aim is to read six books or more between now and September 4th. The 2022 Challenge has been developed by The Reading Agency in partnership with The Science Museum Group. Called ‘Gadgeteers’, it is a science-filled reading adventure allowing children to explore the science of the world around them. Through taking part in the Challenge, with a free pack from our library,…

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Special School Plans Approved

The wheels are now in motion for a Grade 2 listing building here in Ruddington to begin a new chapter in its history – after planning permission for a ‘special school’ there was granted by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC). As RUDDINGTON.info reported in April, an application was submitted by Polaris Children’s Services to turn ‘Easthorpe House’ at 165, Loughborough Road into a school for pupils with special educational needs. The approval means the former offices of NHS Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group will soon be back in use to provide classrooms for around 80 pupils aged…

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New School for Ruddington?

When NHS Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group relocated from Easthorpe House to new premises in June 2020, the future of the Grade 2 listed Ruddington property looked rather uncertain. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing by then, for its landlords Carlton Street Trading finding new tenants for this large but attractive building off Loughborough Road was likely to prove more difficult than usual. Thankfully for them, in the interim, the generous and picturesque grounds have enabled both an open-air ‘Castle Rock Brewery Beer Festival’ and a ‘Pop-Up Beer Garden’ run by Annie’s Burger Shack to be…

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Inspector’s Ruddington School Report Revealed

“St Peter’s C of E Junior School continues to be a ‘Good’ school.” That’s the verdict of Ofsted Inspector Jayne Ashman – following her visit to Ruddington on 11th & 12th of January 2022.  Receiving its first new rating for five years was a slightly tense time for Head Teacher Michael Bradley who only took up his ‘new’ post in January 2020. Mr Bradley succeeded a much loved predecessor, John Mapperley, who had been Head Teacher at St Peter’s for the previous 12 years. However, despite the most difficult of times during the COVID-19 pandemic,…

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